Is this recent lightweight push just a fad?
How much lightweight do you really need?
I have a Colt 6920 and doubt that I would notice very much difference between that and a Colt 6720. I do notice a difference from my 6920 and my 6933, but it’s got a short barrel AND a thin profile. I might eventually get or assemble a featherweight AR myself, but I’d like to hear from those that already own them or have had some significant shooting experience with them.
So in training, competitions, patrol, or other uses - Has it made a difference for you? Has it made you a better shooter? Or is it just cool/neat/a fad?
I’m of the opposite camp, based upon my mission. I’d like a lighter barrel on my patrol rifle, for sure. Carrying it on a long search or covering a building or area for extended periods can make every ounce of the rifle feel like extra pounds. And I seriously doubt that I’ll be involved in a confrontation where I shoot so many rounds that my barrel gets so hot that my point of impact changes enough to matter at anything less than 300 yards.
To save weight, I would rather flute or dimple a heavier profile barrel than start out with a skinny one.
At least this trend seems to be steering the market away from “government profile” barrels everywhere. At first, everyone wanted to mount an M203 (apparently). Now everybody wants to shave grams. Overall I think saving weight makes more sense than pretending you’re going to launch grenades, but it’s still somewhat faddish.
I think a LW barrel might be a fun range toy. I’m building one for my father in law. Personally I’d not want anything lighter than a gov profile barrel. I agree with the post above about fluting the barrel to shave some weight.
would I choose a 6720, even at a slight cost premium, over a 6920 if buying new? absolutely.
assuming you spend the predominance of your range or shooting time away from a bench and walking upright on your hind legs…
Saving weight at the cost of measurable or practical performance is stupid. Adding weight with no measurably or practical increase in performance is even stupider.
I have never, ever, heard a single operational person, from the lowliest 19 year old grunt to the saltiest 20 year Delta guy, say “man, I wish my gun/gear weighed MORE.”
I think it is; but there are merits hidden within I suppose. I want so badly to rip my 12" LaRue off and get a Centurion rail even though I actually find the LaRue works great and fits very well; and a MOE+, variable optic, etc… Its just the power of your peers and my perceived notion that it will somehow make me better or faster when im not even good or fast in the first place. I flunked the Tricon MNQ this weekend for 100 rounds before finally shooting it at 25 and realizing that it doesnt matter if I have a 14.5 mid / comp / A5 or a M16A2 clone, if I cant get hits on a stationary piece of paper at 50 yards, I dont deserve enhancements. It reminds me that I dont need anything else but time on gun and ammo. This is just me of course and I felt the need to respond because I have added that damned 6720 to my basket 2 times then closed browser. Im sure the more experienced guys can get more out of them, so just ask yourself where you are as a shooter.
I see no benefit to extra weight for most of the purposes for which I would use my rifle. Keep in mind I’m not a SEALDELTARANGERSNIPERPJSPECWARDEVGRU super trooper with the requirement to lay down large volumes of fire at extended ranges over an extended period of time or fix a bayonet–I’m Joe Regular Guy, and a lightweight barrel works fine for everything I need short of a precision rifle. Yeah, I work out and can hump if I had to… but I don’t gain a damned thing but extra weight. I’d rather carry more water than more barrel.
Oh, and I’d say the aforementioned gay ice skater made a good, smart, call.
LW=M4 under the handguards with extra weight added on the front half. There are not many good reasons to have extra weight on the front half of a barrel, positional shooting on a KD range is easier with a heavier rifle. The LW does everything needed in a defensive carbine without the extra weight.
So when people say they prefer the M4 profile what I assume they mean is “I like the look of the M4 profile”.
For those of you who insist on bashing the lightweight barrel I suggest you step into Dr. Fuckknuckles time machine and look at the M16A1.
I surely don’t recall any issues with it other than the 1/12 twist. Then I want you to drive down to the local gun store and take a look at an AK47. Surprisingly you will see that an AK barrel is very similar in diameter to the M16A1 as well.
Thick may mean better in the bedroom, but I don’t think that it’s necessary when speaking about AR barrels.
If lightweight can do everything the same then everyone who’s buying USGI profile barrels is doing so because it looks good? Or they think they’re getting something out of it that they’re not?
Well what about heavy barrels? How much of this is aesthetics and how much is functionality?
As I understand it, heavier barrels don’t heat up as fast, so the heat is less likely to cause drooping in the barrel which may lead vertical stringing, or warping which may lead to reduced accuracy. Additionaly, a thicker barrel will be more rigid than a thinner barrel of the same length, which can help with (mechanical?) accuracy in a precision rifle.
Finally, heavy profiled barrels are preferred by heterosexual ice skaters.
ETA: I know physics, but thermo and barrel harmonics ain’t my thing, so you may want to confirm with people who know what in the hell they are talking about.
Gov’t profile barrels are the same diameter as light weight barrels, under the handguards, so adding some weight on the end of the barrel, is of no benefit…
It’s time for some of you to hit the gym and lift weights :haha:
I’d say if you can carry your heavy barrel rifle just fine keep it. That’s a good point made above about the ak being a light weight barrel also. I feel like you’d give up some accuracy like the ak with a LW barrel though especially when it gets hot.
I’d venture that if we were to start seeing failures attributable to LW profile barrels, the pendulum might swing back the other way. Otherwise, no. There are far too many benefits and most possible detractions are more preception than reality for 90% of shooters.